A Guide to Jasmine Tea: All You Need to Know

Although winter is long gone now, that doesn't mean you shouldn't still opt for a cup of flavorful tea to keep yourself refreshed and hydrated during warmer days. In fact, the popularity of this hot beverage seems to be on the rise lately as there are many tea blends with distinct flavors and aromas that provide numerous health benefits to consumers.

One such tea variety is jasmine tea. It is one of the most famous scented hot brews as it comes from the Fujian region of China where it is made with jasmine blossoms. These flowers are actually responsible for the tea's sweet, fresh and floral taste and bright yellowish-green color.

Besides being popular for its distinct flavor, jasmine tea has proven to be very beneficial for the overall health of people. From helping you shed some extra pounds to managing severe health conditions, here is a brief guide about the many uses of jasmine tea and why it should be part of your everyday wellness regime.

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Most common jasmine tea types

Jasmine tea is made by mixing dry tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant with the delicate and intense aroma of fresh jasmine blossoms. That's why this hot brew is part of the scented tea category because it is flavored with different ingredients such as flowers, fruits, spices and extracts. The blend then results in more distinct flavors and aromas that add to the popularity of jasmine tea.

The most common type is jasmine green tea. It includes green tea leaves which are responsible for the drink's aromatic and fragrant scent. However, if you are looking for a stronger flavor of jasmine tea, then jasmine black tea is the perfect choice.

In this type, the base is black tea whose leaves have been oxidized to their maximum capacity which contributes to the tea's strong flavor. When the leaves are mixed with jasmine blossoms, the end result is a combination of bold and sweet flavors.

Other popular jasmine tea types include jasmine white tea and jasmine oolong tea which have more subtle aromas and are considered dessert teas.

The presence of caffeine

Because jasmine tea is mixed with tea leaves, all types contain caffeine. One way of determining their caffeine level is by looking at the base tea that jasmine tea was made with as well as how long the tea leaves were being processed and prepared.

For example, if jasmine tea is made with green tea leaves, then the tea contains less caffeine than jasmine black tea but more than jasmine white tea. More specifically, one cup of jasmine green tea contains about 25 milligrams of caffeine as opposed to the 45 milligrams present in jasmine black tea.

So, if you are trying to watch over your caffeine intake, make sure you check the packaging to ensure how much of it is present in the jasmine tea type you are buying.

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Health benefits of jasmine tea

Because jasmine tea is typically mixed with tea leaves, it provides many of the same health benefits that you would get from drinking green, black or white tea alone. For that reason, this hot brew is known to be rich in many antioxidants that are helpful in treating and preventing many chronic and severe health conditions.

For example, the polyphenols present in the tea act as antioxidants and are most useful in protecting the body against free radical damages which are often linked with heart diseases and cancer. The catechins are the most common type of polyphenols that have been proven beneficial in managing numerous health conditions such as improving blood sugar control and heart health.

Also, the EGCG polyphenols present in jasmine tea can help in the suppression of inflammation in the body which usually occurs in people suffering from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

One of the most notable health benefits of jasmine tea is that it could boost brain function. This is because of the presence of caffeine in the base tea leaves which come into contact with the amino acid L-theanine. Together they can make you feel both energized and alert.

Preparing jasmine tea properly

Because jasmine tea is often blended with delicate tea leaves, it is simply right that you take extra care when brewing in order to avoid bitter flavors.

In general, the tea should be brewed around 175 F using spring or filtered water. Once the water has been heated, it is advised that you let it sit for a couple of minutes before adding the tea especially if you are using loose leaf jasmine tea.

Next, add two teaspoons of the tea and cover it with a lid. Steep for a couple of minutes and pour it into your cup. Traditionally, jasmine tea is served in lidded cups called gaiwans, but you can also drink it from a glass teacup.

If you want, you can add mint, lemon and honey to balance between the grassy flavors of the tea leaves and create a more pleasant brew that you can refrigerate and drink during warmer days as a refreshing beverage.

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How often should you drink it?

Generally speaking, jasmine tea is considered a safe hot brew when it is consumed in moderation. However, there are still some possible risks that can occur if you drink it excessively.

For example, if you are drinking jasmine green tea, then there is a chance that kidney stones may form since green tea contains compounds that bind with calcium.

Also, although the caffeine content in the jasmine tea depends on the base tea leaves used to make this brew, there is still a chance of suffering from sleep difficulties such as insomnia. That's why it is recommended that you consume jasmine tea early in the day to avoid such issues.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for a new tea blend to incorporate into your wellness regime, then jasmine tea is the perfect choice for you. It is well known for its distinct, floral and sweet flavor that is mostly a result of the base tea leaves that are used to make it. Because of this blend, jasmine tea has proven to be very beneficial for the overall health of people, helping to manage numerous chronic and severe health conditions.

So, if you are looking for more information about this hot brew, you can refer to this guide and learn everything you need to know about jasmine tea.